Security & Defense

Obama spotlights cyber security in State of the Union speech

By White House

From White House:  America must also face the rapidly growing threat from cyber-attacks.

Time to Pivot Back to Europe

By Harlan Ullman

Last year, the Obama administration released its latest strategic guidance for the Pentagon. The lead headline read “U.S. pivots to Asia.” 

Obama executive order seeks better defense against cyber attacks

By Alina Selyukh, Reuters

Obama’s Executive Order on Cybersecurity

By White House

From White House:  By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Presidential Cyber Direction Looks Quite Familiar

By Jason Healey

 The actions in the president’s new executive order on cybersecurity are narrowly focused, best seen as small steps–the latest in a fifteen-year parade of five different White House documents across three presidencies.  These actions are worthwhile on their own, but are only a small step as executive orders do not create policy, just implement it […]

Real Cyber Reform Demands White House Leadership

By Kevin Gronberg

In the wake of Congress’s inability to pass comprehensive cyber legislation last year, the White House is poised to release an executive order on cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. With this executive order, President Obama has the opportunity to hit the reset button and begin developing an effective national cybersecurity policy. It won’t change much on […]

U.S. said to be target of massive cyber-espionage campaign

By Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post

From Ellen Nakashima, Washington Post:  A new intelligence assessment has concluded that the United States is the target of a massive, sustained cyber-espionage campaign that is threatening the country’s economic competitiveness, according to individuals familiar with the report.

Defense Reduction through Security Force Assistance

By Derek Reveron

With dozens of treaty allies and a strategic priority of promoting the sovereignty of weak states, the US military has been gradually shifting from a force designed for confrontation to one intended to promote international cooperation. 

Whole Drone Program Deserves Scrutiny

By Danya Greenfield

John Brennan’s confirmation hearing for CIA Director is stirring up renewed debate on the use of drone strikes as a centerpiece of US counterterrorism strategy and, specifically, the legal grounding for targeting US citizens.